Cigarette testing machine



Oct. 13, 1970 H, s ow ETAL CIGARETTE TESTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed May 27, 1968 INVENTORS w OE mwm m0 P we R ENE WM D T M5 m D El E HW OD Oct. 13, 1970 H, SNOW ETAL CIGARETTE TESTING MACHINE DAVID LATIMERPORTER S a ME 2 m Mmm JW m WT m m S K 6 m wm @9 w: m9 m2 ON M 9 N: S. mB bm my 0 w :A pg S. 9/ A/ ND a 4 N0, 1 1 om h {IL |l; Q :i I: m It I iM. l fiNNf 3 W 0m mm Ow mm h \m o 8 02 [W H 8 mg I I I E k\ mm mm" M 0 8Q mm Q. E Q 09 mm 8 mm 09 3 m9 2 3 Filed May 27, 1968 1' ATTORNEY Oct.13, 1970 H. J. SNOW ETAL CIGARETTE TESTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed May 27, 1968 INVENTORS HARLAND JESSE SNOW, OCEE KEATON GROPPE 8DAVID LATIMER PORTER TTORNEY Oct. 13, 1970 H. J. SNOW ETAL 3,533,279

CIGARETTE TESTING MACHINE Filed May 27, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTORS HARLAND JESSE SNOW, OCEE KEATON GROPPE8 DAVID LATIMER PORTERBY W ATTORNEY Oct. 13, 1970 H. J. SNOW ET AL CIGARETTE TESTING MACHINE 6Sheets-Sheet Filed May 27, 1968 INVENTORS HARLAND JESSE SNOW, OCEEKEATON GROPPE a DAVID LATIMER PORT ER ATTORNEY I {882% n SS 4 s 1 Oct.13, 1970 H. J. SNOW ET AL 3,533,279

CIGARETTE TESTING MACHINE Filed May 27, 1968 e Sheets-Sheet 6 m E N a NT g N N (O 1 m Q$ T Dl l' 1:

I ESS'3kSS! S Y HIM ODD

BELLOWS SWITCH INVENTORS HARLAND JESSE SNOW, i OCEE KEATON GROPPE 8DAVID LATIMER PORTER U) :1: 2 g 2 BY 35 MM v MTORNEY United StatesPatent Ofice 3,533,279 Patented Oct. 13, 1970 3,533,279 CIGARETTETESTING MAQHINE Harland Jesse Snow, Ocee Keaton Groppe, and DavidLatimer Porter, Richmond, Va., assignors to AME Incorporated, acorporation of New Jersey Filed May 27, 1968, Ser. No. 732,333 Claimspriority, application Great Britain, May 30, 1967, 24,917/67 Int. Cl.G01m 3/26 U.S. Cl. 73--45.1 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Amachine for pressure drop testing cigarettes wherein individualcigarettes are positioned in slots in the periphery of a rotating drumand automatically ejected from the slots onto a conveyor belt after theyhave been tested. During the initial portion of rotation of thecigarette with the drum, one end of each cigarette is sealingly engagedand connected to a source of reduced pressure to draw air through thecigarette. When the volume of air passing through the cigarette exceedsa predetermined level, this is detected and the defective cigarette isautomatically ejected from the drum before it reaches the conveyor belt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to cigarettetesting machines and more particularly to a cigarette testing machinewhich tests individual cigarettes by applying fluid pressure to one endonly of each cigarette.

At the present time, automatic machines which produce cigarettes atspeeds of two thousand cigarettes per minute are frequently employed,and the trend is toward higher speed machines. At such speeds a demandexists for automatic inspection and rejection of substandard cigarettesto prevent these cigarettes reaching the automatic packers. It seems tobe accepted that the modern cigarette making machines produce plaincigarettes of such a quality that automatic inspection of features otherthan the ends of the cigarettes is not justified. However, in the caseof filter cigarettes, the sealing of the filter to the tobacco rod by auniting band is a constant source of trouble, largely because ofvariations in filter size and geometry which result in air channelsbeneath the uniting band which, in turn, permit air to enter the smokescreen as the cigarette is smoked.

The usual method of making filter tipped cigarettes is to make twoall-tobacco cigarettes, place them axially in line with a double lengthfilter between them, overwrap the assembly with a suitable uniting bandto form a single composite rod, and sever the center of a filter to formtwo filter tipped cigarettes. In accordance with the prior art, thesedouble length composite rods were tested prior to severing by couplingapparatus to each end of the rod, applying air pressure or vacuum viaone coupling, and measuring the air pressure of flow at the othercoupling. Such measurements are affected by leaks in the composite rod,and therefore, indicate substandard or defective cigarettes.

This prior art testing technique cannot distinguish between good and badcigarettes in any assembled pair. Therefore, for every faulty cigarette,two filter tip cigarettes (the entire composite rod) must be rejected.Another important disadvantage of the prior art testing technique isthat the fluid coupling devices must make a tight seal with both tobaccoends of the composite cigarette rod having the double length filter inthe middle. This is a very difiicult thing to do because of the variablenature of the tobacco ends and their susceptibility to damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, thedisadvantages of the prior art testing technique are overcome by testingeach individual cigarette after the final severing operation has beencompleted so that substandard cigarettes can be rejected individually.This is done by sealingly engaging one end only of each cigarette,applying a fluid pressure to this end and monitoring the fluid flow todetect any defect in the cigarette being tested. By sealingly engagingone end only of the cigarette, the stronger filter end of the cigarettecan be selected as the end to be sealed to greatly facilitate anefiicient airtight coupling without damaging the cigarette being tested.

The pressure applied to the end of the cigarette may be positive ornegative, but in the preferred embodiment a vacuum technique (negativepressure) is employed to draw air through the cigarette. When the filterend of the cigarette is sealingly engaged automatically, leaks in thehalf of the cigarette nearest to the filter are easily determined,whereas leaks near the tobacco end of the cigarette are more difiicultto determine. This is because the normal tobacco filling of thecigarette obstructs the inflow of air sufiiciently to permit side leaksto modify the total flow by a significant amount. Since too much or toolittle tobacco in the cigarette will modify the air flow independentlyof leaks, this inherently produces the additional desirable result ofenabling cigarettes to be rejected which depart too far from the desirednormal density of tobacco filling.

More specifically, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, theindividual cigarettes are automatically positioned in slots in theperiphery of a rotating drum at a first angular position of the drum.Good cigarettes are automatically ejected at a second angular position.During the initial portion of rotation of the drum from the firstangular position, the filter end of each cigarette is sealingly engagedand connected to a vacuum chamber to draw air through thhe cigarette. Ifthe cigarette is defective or substandard, a larger volume of air willflow into the vacuum chamber. This increase or change in pressure in thevacuum chamber is detected and a signal is produced to activate adefective cigarette ejecting device to eject the defective cigarettebefore it reaches the second angular position.

Other features and objects of novelty of the present invention will bespecifically pointed out or will otherwise become apparent whenreferring, for a better understanding of the invention, to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of amachine illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the inspection drum of themachine of FIG. 1 taken along the line 22 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the machine of FIG. 1 with parts thereofomitted to more clearly show the manner in which the inspection drumreceives cigarettes from drums of a conventional cigarette makingmachine;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the ported valve blocksfor making the necessary air connections to the inspection drum, and theaneroid bellows switch connected to each ported valve block;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the rotary control switch of the logic andmemory unit of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram of the logic and control circuitof the machine; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 3illustrating a modification of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a testingmachine 10 is shown which illustrates one embodiment of the invention.The machine 10 comprises a main housing 12 having an inspection drum 14supported on a drive shaft 16 rotatably mounted on and projecting fromthe front wall 13 of the housing 12. The drive for rotating the shaft 16is mounted within the housing 12. The projecting end of the shaft 16 issupported by an end support bracket 18 supported on the ends of rods 20,22 and 24. The inner ends of the rods 20 and 22 are connected to acasting 26 which, in turn, is mounted on the front wall 13 of thehousing.

The inner end of the rod 24 is connected to a similar casting (notshown) mounted on the front wall 13 of the housing. With thisconstruction the end support bracket 18 can be removed to facilitateservicing and removal of the inspection drum 14.

Referring to FIG. 2 as well as FIG. 1 the drum 14 comprises a first drumsection 30 and a second drum section 32 both mounted on a sleeve 34slidably keyed to the shaft 16 by tapered keys 35. The right end of theshaft 16, as viewed in FIG. 2, extends through the front wall 13 of thehousing 12 and is rotatably journaled therein by roller bearings 36 and38 mounted in the ends of a flanged bushing 40 fixed in the front wall13. A gear 42 is fixed on the right end of the shaft 16 and is drivinglyconnected to a timing belt 44. A ring gear 46 is fixed to the gear 42 byscrews 50 and 52 and is driving connected to a timing belt 48. Thetiming belt 48 is connected to a suitable drive for rotating the shaft16 in timed relation to a transfer drum of a cigarette making machine,as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The other timingbelt 44 is drivingly connected to a rotary switch of a logic and memoryunit for controlling the operation of the inspection machine, as will bedescribed in greater detail hereinafter.

The sleeve 34 which supports the drum sections 30 and 32 is fixedagainst axial movement to the right by the tapered keys 35 which, inturn, are restrained against axial movement to the right by a flange 54on the shaft 16. The sleeve 34 is fixed against axial movement to theleft by a sleeve 56 threadably connected to an externally threadedportion 58 of the shaft 16. The sleeve 56 is rotatably journaled in theend support bracket 18 by ball bearings 60 and 62.

The drum section 30 comprises a cylindrical hub 64 having axially spacedwasher shaped walls 66, 68 and 70 projecting radially from the hub. Aplurality of equally spaced concave recesses 72 are formed in theperiphery of the wall 66, and similar recesses 74, 76 and 78 are formedin the periphery of the walls 68 and 70 in alignment with each of therecesses 72. Each aligned set of recesses 72-78 define a slot in theperiphery of the drum section 30 for receiving a cigarette, as will bedescribed.

The drum section 32 is similar to the drum section 30 and has acylindrical hub 80, washer shaped walls 82, 84 and 86 and alignedrecesses 88, 90 and 92, sets of which define slots for receiving thecigarettes.

A sealing ring 94 is fixed to the washer shaped wall 70 of the drumsection 30 in a suitable manner such as by a plurality of screws 96. Asecond ring 98 made of a suitable material, such a graphite, slidablyengages the right face of the sealing ring 94 and is fixed to a back-upring 100. The back-up ring 100 is slidably pinned to a member 102rotatably journaled on the projecting right end of the cylindrical hub64. A plurality of balls 104 are positioned between the back-up ring 100and the member 102 to facilitate relative axial movement between the twoand a plurality of springs 106 are interposed between 4 the back-up ring100 and the member 102 to resiliently bias the ring 98 against the faceof the sealing ring 94. The ring 98, back-up ring 100 and member 102 arefixed against rotation by means (not shown) supported on the rod 24.

A tapered bore 108 is provided in the left face of the sealing ring 94in alignment with each of the recesses 78, so that the axis of each ofthe tapered bores 108 will be co-axially aligned with the cigarette ineach of the slots defined by the aligned sets of recesses in the drumsection 30. With this arrangement the cigarettes positioned in the slotscan be shifted to the right, as will be described, to sealingly engageone end of the cigarettes with the tapered wall of the tapered bore 108aligned therewith. Alternate ones of the tapered bores 108 communicatedirectly with an opening 110 on the face of the sealing ring slidablyengaging the ring 98, as in the case of the upper tapered boreillustrated in FIG. 2, and the remaining tapered bores communicate witha radially offset opening 112 positioned radially inwardly of theopenings 110, as in the case of the lower tapered bore illustrated inFIG. 2.

The openings 110 are positioned to communicate with an arcuate recess 14in the left face of the ring 98 and the openings 112 are positioned tocommunicate with a second arcuate recess 116 in the left face of thering 98 concentric with the arcuate recess 114. Each of the arcuaterecesses subtend the same angle and the radial displacement between thetwo arcuate recesses is identical to the radial displacement between theopening 110 and 112. Thus the openings 110 and 112 are normally sealedby the left face of the ring 98 except for the period when they sweepacross one of the arcuate recesses, as will be described in greaterdetail hereinafter.

A sealing ring 94, as just described, is fixed to the right end of thedrum section 32 in a similar manner, and a second ring 98, back-up ring100, and member 102 are provided as previously described, along with thesprings 106 and balls 104 between the back-up ring 100 and member 102.In this case however the washer shaped member 102 is fixed to a hub 105journaled directly on the shaft 16 by ball bearings 114.

Before describing the manner in which the cigarettes are loaded, testedand ejected, the mechanism for shifting the cigarettes axially in theirslots into sealing engagement with the tapered Walls of the taperedbores 108 will be described. Still referring to FIG. 2, a member 120 isfixed on the left end of a rod 122 slidably extending through thecylindrical hub 64 of the drum section 30. A similar member 124 is fixedon the right end of the rod 122 between the drum sections. The member120 is also slidably supported on a pin 126 fixed to and projecting fromthe left end face of the drum section 30 to prevent rotation of the road122 relative to the drum section 30 without restricting relative axialmovement therebetween. A link 128 is fastened to the member 120 andprojects therefrom in position to support a cam follower roller 130. Thecam follower roller 130 rides in a cam slot 132 in a cam ring 134 fixedon the hub of the end support bracket 18. A pin 136 is fixed on the endof each of the members 120 and 124 in position to engage the end of thecigarette in the slots with which the members are associated.

At this point it is noted that the members 120 and 124, and theirrelated components, are provided for each of the slots in the drumsections 30 and 32. The design of the cam slot is such as to shift theconnected pair of members 120 ad 124 to the right at a predeterminedangular position to sealingly engage the other ends of the cigaretteswith the walls of the tapered bores. The cigarettes are maintained inthis position while the tapered bores sweep across the arcuate recesses114 and 116 (FIG. 3), and then the members 120 and 124 are retracted bythe cam slot when the tapered bores have swept across the arcuaterecesses. Thereafter the cigarettes are shifted back to the left by anair jet, as will be described, to disengage the sealed ends from thetapered bores 108.

The diameter of each of the pins 136 is preferably smaller than thediameter of the cigarettes being tested, so that the pins engage thetobacco in the ends of a cigarette and not the paper. This minimizesdamage to the tobacco ends of the cigarettes. The cigarettes are alsooriented in the slots so that the filter ends are adjacent to thesealing rings 94 since the filter ends are less susceptible to damage.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cigarette testing machine is illustrated inconjunction with a conventional cigarette making machine 140. Thecigarettes manufactured by the machine are transferred in a conventionalmanner from a drum 142 of the cigarette making machine to a transferdrum 144, and from the transfer drum to the inspection drum 14 of thecigarette testing machine 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3 the inspectiondrum 14 is rotating in a clockwise direction and there are eightcigarettes 146 positioned in eight of the fourteen slots in theperiphery of the drum section 30 of the inspection drum. Eightadditional cigarettes are positioned in the same manner in the drumsection 32 behind the drum section 30. In describing the operationreference will be made to drum section 30, but it will be understoodthat the same sequence of events simultaneously occurs in connectionwith the drum section 32.

One of the cigarettes 146 is illustrated in a first angular positionwherein it is being transferred from the transfer drum 144 to the drumsection 30 in a conventional manner. The cigarette 146 furthest removedfrom this cigarette is illustrated in a second angular position whereinit is leaving its slot and being transferred to a powered conveyor belt148. A stationary shroud 150 overlies an angular portion of theperiphery of the inspectiondrum beginning at the aforementioned firstangular position to mechanically retain the cigarettes in their slots ina conventional manner. A second shroud 152 overlies another angularportion of the inspection drum ending at the aforementioned secondangular position, the shroud being designed with a reverse curve tofacilitate rolling the cigarettes on to the conveyor belt 148. Theadjacent ends 154 and 156 of the shrouds 150 and 152 are spaced apart toprovide an ejection space through which defective clgarettes can beejected.

Four tubes 158 project into the four spaces between the washer shapedWalls of the drum sections 30 and 32 (see FIG. 2). The four tubes 158are connected to a cylindrical manifold 162 (also illustrated in FIG. 1)

bolted on the front wall 13 of the housing 12 by bolts extending throughlugs 163 on the left end of the manifold. A conduit 164 is connected tothe manifold 162 for connecting the manifold to a vacuum source. Theopen lower ends of the tubes 158 overlie and bridge the @160- tion spacebetween the ends 154 and 156 of the shrouds 152 and 150. Duringoperation of the testing mach1ne, a vacuum is normally applied to thetubes 158 to retain the cigarettes in their slots by suction as thecigarettes pass over the ejection space.

A smaller ejection tube 160 is positioned within each of the tubes 158in position to eject a defective cigarette from its slot through theejection space when a blast of pressurized air is directed through theend of the e ection tube 160. Hoses 166 are connected to the tubes 158by fittings 168 for delivering pressurized air to the ejection tubes 160in each of the tubes 158 in response to a control signal to eject adefective cigarette traversing the ejection space between the shrouds150 and 152, as will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, four ported valve blocks 170 are mounted onthe shroud 150 in position to overlie the inspection drum 14. The twoblocks visible in FIG. 3 overlie the drum section 30 and the other two(not visible in FIG. 3) overlie the drum section 32. Each of the blocks170 has a main passage 173 which communicates with a transverse passage174. The transverse passage 174 of one of the blocks 170 communicateswith the arcuate recess 114 and the transverse passage 174 of a secondblock communicates with the arcuate recess 116. The remaining two valveblocks 170 communicate with the arcuate recesses 114 and 116 in the drumsection 32 in the same manner. A filter 176 is mounted in each of thevalve blocks in position to filter the air passing through the mainpassage 172. A pair of connectors 178 and 180 are mounted on each blockon opposite sides of the filter 176 to facilitate connection to aconventional manometer (not shown) for checking the filter 176 and forestablishing the pressure drop of a good cigarette as a reference. Ametering valve 182 is mounted on the valve block 170 having anadjustable needle 184 projecting therefrom in position to adjust airflow through the main passage 172. The metering valve is operated atsonic velocity to minimize the effect of compressability on the airfiow. A fitting 186 is mounted on each valve block to facilitateconnection to a high vacuum source (over fifteen inches Hg) associatedwith the machine 10 to produce the sonic flow through the passage 172and metering valve 182. The end of passage 172 is closed by a plug 188.

An elbow fitting 190 on the other end of each valve block is connectedto an aneroid bellows switch 220 by a conduit 222 to place the aneroidbellows switch in communication with the passage 174.

The two ported valve blocks 170 illustrated in FIG. 3 are connected tothe ring 98 associated with the drum section 30 and the two ported valveblocks 170 behind them are connected to the ring 98 associated with thedrum section 32. With this arrangement a high vacuum is created in thearcuate recesses 114 and 116 of both drum sections 30 and 32 because theopen faces of the arcuate recesses are sealed by the sealing ring 94associated with each of the drum sections 30 and 32.

The aneroid bellows switch 220 comprises a body 224 fastened to a body226 with a clamping and sealing ring 228 encircling the juncture betweenthe bodies. A diaphragm 230 is clamped between the two bodies in adiaphragm chamber 232. A plug 234 is threadably engaged in an internallythreaded bore 236 of the body 226 in position to seat one end of aspring 238, the other end of which acts on the diaphragm 230. A spring240 is mounted in the body 224 in position to act on the other side ofthe diaphragm 230.

The conduit 222 is connected to a port 242 in the body 224 which, inturn, communicates with a chamber 244. A micro switch 246 is mounted inan opening in the body 224 with its plunger 248 exposed to the chamber244. A plug 250 covers an access hole in the body 224.

A switch actuating arm 252 is connected to the diaphragm 230 by a member254 so that the position of the diaphragm controls the position of thearm 252. The switch 246 is a normally open switch and in the positionillustrated, the actuating arm 252 is located to the 'right of theplunger 248 so that the switch is in its normally open position. In thisposition the diaphragm 230 engages the wall of the diaphragm chamber 232formed by the body 226. When the cigarett testing machine is inoperation and drawing a full vacuum, the diaphragm 230 is sucked to theleft and maintains actuating arm 252 in position to actuate the plunger248 to hold the switch 246 closed. The arrangement is such that thediaphragm 30 will remain in this position, and the switch 246 willremain closed as long as the cigarettes being tested are good. However,when a substandard or defective cigarette passes over the arcuate recessbeing monitored by the particular aneroid bellows switch, the diaphragm230 will move back to the position illustrated in FIG. 4 and the switch246 will open.

The switch 246 of each of the aneroid bellows switches 220 forms part ofthe memory unit for determining whether a cigarette is to be ejected asit passes over the ejection space between the shrouds 150 and 152. The

volume between the metering valve 182 and the cigarettes is held toapproximately cc. in going from an empty cigarette slot to a slot havinga good cigarette therein sweeping over one of the arcuate recesses. Thisvolume will be expanded seven percent or 1.4 cc. which is well below theapproximate 10 cc. pulled through each cigarette being tested at themaximum rate of inspection. With this arrangement air fiow through thecigarette is thus assured, rather than volume expansion.

The sequence of operation of the machine 10 will now be described withparticular reference to FIG. 3 and with reference to cigarettes beingloaded in the drum section 30. However, it is to be understood thatcigarettes are simultaneously being loaded and tested in the drumsection 32 in the same manner, as previously mentioned. As soon as acigarette 146 is loaded on the inspection drum section and clears theshroud associated with the transfer drum 144, the cam ring 134 shiftsmembers 120 and 122 to the right to press the pins 136 against thetobacco ends of the cigarettes in the slots of the drum sections 30 and32 and shift the cigarettes to the right to sealingly engage theirfilter ends with the walls of the tapered bores 108, as previouslydescribed in connection with FIG. 2. This sealing action is completedbefore the cigarettes in the drum sections 30 and 32 reach the arcuaterecesses 114 and 116. If the particular tapered bore sealingly engagedby the filter end of a cigarette communicates with the opening 110, thefilter end will be placed in communication with the arcuate recess 114as it sweeps thereacross. If the tapered bore communicates with theopening 112, the filter end will be placed in communication with thearcuate recess 116 as it sweeps thereacross.

Therefore, as the tapered bores sweep across the arcuate recesses, thefilter ends of the cigarettes sealingly engaged therewith are exposed tothe high vacuum to draw air through the cigarettes. In the event thecigarette is substandard and there is leakage around the uniting banduniting the filter to the cigarette, an increased volume of air willfiow into the ported valve block 170 associated with the particulararcuate recess involved, as compared to the air flow of a standard ornon-defective cigarette. This increased volume of air flow through thevalve block 170 shifts the aneroid bellows connected to the block to theright, as viewed in FIG. 4, to open the switch 246 of the aneroidbellows and produce an electrical signal to indicate that the cigarettebeing tested is defective or substandard. If the filter issatisfactorily united to the cigarette, but the density of the tobaccoin the cigarette is substandard, an increased volume of air will also bedrawn through the cigarette, as compared to a good cigarette, and theswitch 246 of the aneroid bellows will open to produce a signalindicating that the cigarette is substandard or defective. The signalsproduced by the aneroid bellows switches 220 are stored in a memoryunit, as will be described, and the memory unit thereafter produces asignal when the defective cigarette reaches the ejection space betweenthe shrouds 150 and 152. At this point a blast of air is directedthrough the nozzles of the ejection tubes 160 to eject the defectivecigarette.

When a pair of aligned cigarettes sealed against the tapered bores ofthe drum sections 30 and 32, respectively, complete their sweep acrosstheir arcuate recesses, the cam ring 134 (FIG. 2) retracts the pins 136engaging the tobacco ends of the cigarettes, and a light blast ofpressurized air is delivered through the tapered bores to shift thecigarettes axially to disengage the filter ends from the tapered bores.This jet of air is delivered through an opening 200 in the face of eachof the rings 98 slidably engaging the sealing rings 94. A suitablefitting 202 is connected to the periphery of each of the rings 98 forconnecting flexible hoses 204 to the openings 200 of the rings, thehoses 204 being connected to a source of pressurized air. In this mannerthe filter ends of the cigarettes are disengaged from the tapered boresbefore they pass over the ejection space so that they are free to beejected. As previously explained, if the cigarettes are not defectivethey are retained in their slots by the vacuum shoe or bridge 158 asthey pass over the ejection space.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 one of the cigarettes is in communication withthe end of the arcuate recess 116 and a second cigarette, trailing thefirst cigarette, is in communication with the arcuate recess 114. Athird cigarette, trailing the second cigarette, is not quite in positionto communicate with the arcuate recess 116. The spacing between each ofthe cigarette retaining slots is such that the aforementioned firstcigarette will leave the arcuate recess 116 before the third cigarettereaches the arcuate recess so that two cigarettes do not simultaneouslycommunicate with the same arcuate recess.

However, in order to avoid extreme fluctuations acting on the aneroidbellows switch 220 monitoring the particular arcuate recess involved, anarrow throttling slot 260 is provided in extension of the leading edgeof the arcuate recesses 114 of the drum sections 30 nd 32, and a similarthrottling slot 262 extends from the leading edge of the arcuaterecesses 116 of the drum sections. The length of the throttling slot 262which is visible in FIG. 3 is such that the tapered bore sealinglyengaging the aforesaid third cigarette will communicate with thethrottling slot 262 before the tapered bore of the first cigaretteleaves the arcuate recess 116. Thus when the first cigarette breakscommunication with the arcuate recess 116 the communication between thethrottling slot 262 and the third cigarette will allow a reduced volumeof air to flow through the third cigarette to minimize theaforementioned fluctuations. The throttling slots 260 associated withthe arcuate recesses 114 function in a similar manner.

By making the switch 246 of each of the four aneroid bellows switches220 normally open and holding them closed by the vacuum produced by agood cigarette, as previously described, the closed position of theswitches constitutes the non-eject condition. With this arrangement,good cigarette signals intentionally overlap so that the switch 246remains closed and the non-eject condition prevails for a succession ofgood cigarettes. The change in vacuum produced by the increased air fiowthrough a bad cigarette opens a switch 246 to place the memory unit inits eject condition to eject the defective cigarette as it passes overthe ejection space between the shrouds and 152. By using good cigarettesto maintain the normally open switch 246 closed, and thus maintain thenon-eject condition, the ejection tube 160 is activated to ejectdefective cigarettes for a briefer period than would be the case if theoccurrence of a bad cigarette were used to close the switch 246 of theaneroid bellows. This lessons the possibility of ejecting goodcigarettes preceding or trailing a bad cigarette.

The condition of the switch 246 of each aneroid bellows switch 220 isread by the memory unit when the cigarette being tested nears the end ofthe arcuate recess being monitored by the aneroid bellows switch, aswill be described. This indicates the condition of the cigarette(standard or substandard) after the system and diaphragm of the bellowsswitch has stabilized, and begins the start of the memory period. Amemory unit is used in order to give the cigarette time to be unsealedfrom the tapered bores by the blast of pressurized air through theopening 200, as previously described, before the cigarettes reach theejection space between the shrouds 150 and 152.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 the construction of the rotary sequencecontrol switch 270 of the logic and memmory circuit will be describedbefore describing the overall logic and memory circuit illustratedschematically in FIG. 7. The sequence control switch 270 is mounted inthe main housing 12 and comprises a cup-shaped body member 272 having ahub 274 projecting through the front wall 13 of the main housing. Thecup-shaped member 272 is fixed to the front wall 13 in a suitablemanner, such as by a plurality of bolts 278, and has a washer shapedflange 276 on the periphery thereof. A shaft 280 is rotatably journaledand axially fixed within the hub 274 by a pair of ball bearings 282. Agear 284 is fixed on the shaft 280 in position to be driven by thetiming belt 44 extending upwardly from the gear 42 (see FIG. 2). Thisrotates the shaft 280 in timed relation to the shaft 16 which carriesthe inspection drum 14.

A small cup-shaped center support member 286 is fixed on the end of theshaft within the housing 12 in position to support three radiallyextending straps 288. A washer shaped member 290 is supported on theends of the straps 288 in parallel spaced apart relation to the washershaped flange 276 on the periphery of the cupshaped member 272. A hubmember 292 is fixed on the shaft 280 between the gear 284 and thesupport member 286. Discs 294 and 298 of magnetic permeable material arefastened on the ends of the hub member 92 for rotation therewith.

As most clearly illustrated in FIG. 5, the periphery of each of thediscs is stepped to provide radial shoulders 2'98, 300 and 302. Theradial shoulder 298 defines an arcuate segment extendingcounterclockwise from the radial shoulder 298 to the radial shoulder302. The radial shoulder 300 defines an arcuate segment extendingcounterclockwise from the radial shoulder 300 to the radial shoulder302. A radial notch 304 is formed in the smallest diameter portion ofeach of the discs 294 and 298. The shoulders 298302 and the notches 304of the plates 294- 296 are aligned, and therefore, only one set ofshoulders and notches can be seen in FIG. 5.

Four reed switches S S S and S are supported by support members 306 inposition to overlie the left face of the disc 294. These reed switchesare positioned radially to overlie the arcuate segment 299 defined bythe shoulder 298. Four reed switch S through S are similarly supportedby support members 308 in posit on to overlie the right face of the disc296. In a similar manner four reed switches S S 1 S and S are supportedby support members 310 in position to overlie the left face of the disc294, and four reed switches S through S are supported by support members312 in position to overlie the right face of the disc 296. The reedswitches S through S are positioned radially so as to overlie thearcuate segments 301 defined by the radial shoulders 300 of the discs294 and 296. Four reed switches SS-l, SS2, SS-3, and SS4 are supportedby support members (not shown) in position to overlie the left face ofthe disc 294 and four additional reed switches SS-l through SS4 aresupported by support members 314 in position to overlie the right faceof the disc 296. The switches SS-l through SS4 are positioned radiallyto overlie the notch 304 as the notch sweeps thereacross.

A permanent bar magnet 316 is fixed in parallel spaced apart relation toeach of the reed switches so as to pass lines of flux through the reedswitches to maintain them closed in a well known manner. However, whenthe arcuate segments of the discs 294 and 296 are disposed between thereed switches and their corresponding magnets, the lines of flux of themagnets are shunted through the magnetic permeable material of the discsand the reed switches are biased to their open condition in a. wellknown manner.

Terminal boxes 318 are associated with each of the reed switches forfacilitating electrical connection thereto. The support members 306 and308 are bolted to the washer shaped flanges 276 and 290, respectively,as are the support members 314. However, in the case of the supportmembers 314, the bolts extend through slots 320 to enable the angularposition of the reed switches supported thereby to be adjusted.

The shaft 280 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as illustratedby the arrows in FIG. 5 and the ratio between the gears 42 and 284drivingly connected by the timing belt 44 is such as to rotate the shaft280 through while the inspection drum is rotating through the anglebetween two adjacent cigarettes. The reed switches are maintained intheir open condition while arcuate seg ments of the discs 294296 sweepbetween the reed switches and their corresponding magnets, and the reedswitches are maintained in their closed condition when the arcuatesegments are not positioned between the reed switches and theircorresponding magents.

Referring to FIG. 7 the logic and memory unit, which includes all of thereed switches associated with the disc 294 of the sequence controlswitch 270 is illustrated schematically. This circuit controls the drumsection 30 and an identical circuit (not shown) containing the reedswitches associated with the disc 296 controls the drum section 32. Thecircuit includes four identical firing circuits 400, 402, 404, and 406each containing an SCR 408. The firing circuits 400 and 402 arecontrolled by the even bellows switch which is the switch 246 of theaneroid bellows switch 220 monitoring the arcuate recess 114, and thefiring circuits 404 and 406 are connected to the odd bellows switchwhich is the switch 246 of the aneroid bellows switch 220 monitoring thearcuate recess 116.

Assuming the cigarette on the drum section 30 exposed to the arcuaterecess 114 is defective, the even bellows switch will close aspreviously described. When the defective cigarette nears the end of thearcuate recess 114, the switch SS2 closes and current passes through theresistor 410 and diode D1. This causes the SCR 408 of the firing circuit400 to conduct. The SCR 408 of the firing circuit 404 will not conductbecause at this position the reed switch S is closed, the reed switch Sbeing open. When the defective cigarette reaches the ejection spacebetween the shrouds and 152 (FIG. 3), the switch S closes and the firingcircuit 400 is disabled by the diode D2 and the diode D3 is reversedbiased so that it cannot conduct.

As soon as switch S of the firing circuit 404 opens, reverse bias isremoved from the diode D5 which can then conduct to allow current toflow through the resistor 412 to cut off the transistor 414. Cutting offthe transistor 415 interrupts current flow through the gate of the triac416 to cut off the triac which, in turn, interrupts current flow throughthe solenoid S. Interruption of current flow through the solenoid Sshifts a valve to connect the ejection tube to a source of pressurizedair to eject the defective cigarette as it traverses the ejection spacebetween the shrouds 150 and 152.

Following the rejection phase, switch S opens and switch S is closed torestore the SCR 408 associated with the firing circuit 400 to itsnon-conducting state. When a good cigarette passes over the arcuaterecess 114, the even bellows switch remains open and the SCR 408 of thefiring circuit 400 will not fire when the switch SS2 closes. Thereafter,when the switch S closes conduction through the diode D3 will berestored so that reverse bias cannot be removed from the diode D5 whenthe switch 8 opens. Therefore the diode D5 will not conduct, thetransistor 414 remains on, rather than being cut ofi, the triac 298remains on, rather than being cut off, and the solenoid S remainsenergized. With the solenoid S energized, the aforementioned valve isnot shifted and the source of pressurized air is not connected to theejection tube 160. Therefore the good cigarette will be retained in itsslot by the vacuum bridge 158 as it passes across the ejection space.

If the even bellows switch is closed when the switch SS4 closes, thefiring circuit 402 will be fired because the switch S will be open, andthe firing circuit 400 will not be fired because the switch S will beclosed. In this event the previously described sequence of eventsrepeats itself. The SCR 408 of the firing circuit 402 is fired by theclosing of the switch SS4 and when the defective cigarette reaches theejection space, the switch S closes to cause the diode D2 of the firingcircuit 402 to disable the firing circuit. In addition the diode D3 ofthe firing circuit 400 is reversed biased and cannot conduct. As soon asthe switch S opens, reverse bias is removed from the diode D which canthen conduct to cut off the transistor 414 and the triac 416, andde-energize the solenoid S to connect the source of pressurized air tothe ejection tube 160 to eject the defective cigarette traveling acrossthe ejection space.

In the case of the odd bellows switch monitoring the arcuate recess 116of the drum section 30, the firing circuit 404 will fire when the reedswitch SS3 closes, if the odd bellows switch is closed, and the firingcircuit 406 will not fire because the switch S is closed, the switch Sbeing open when SS-3 closes. If the firing circuit 404 fires in thismanner, it will be disabled by the diode D2 when the switch S closes.Upon closing of the switch S the diode D3 is reverse biased and cannotconduct, and as soon as the switch S opens, reverse bias is removed fromthe diode D5 which can then conduct and de-energize the solenoid S toeject the defective cigarette which caused the odd bellows switch to beclosed when the reed switch SS3 closed just before the defectivecigarette reached the end of the arcuate recess 116.

Similarly, if the odd bellows switch is closed when the reed switch SS3closes, the firing circuit 406 will fire because the switch S will beopen, and the firing circuit 404 will not because the switch S will beclosed. The steps described above repeat themselves and the diode D5will conduct when the reed switch S opens.

When a good cigarette passes over the arcuate recess 116 the odd bellowsswitch will remain open and closing of the reed switch SS3 or the reedswitch SS-l will not fire the SCR 408 of either of the firing circuits404 and 406. Therefore, the solenoid S will remain energized and thegood cigarettes will pass over the ejection space to the conveyor belt.Once the solenoid S is de-energized to eject a defective cigarette, thelogic and memory circuit will maintain it de-energized until asubsequent good cigarette retains the even or odd bellows switch open.Thus, if five consecutive defective cigarettes are tested the solenoid Swill be de-energized to eject the first defective cigarette, and willremain de-energized to reject the next four. The switch S3 connected inparallel with the even and odd bellows switches is a manually operatedswitch for over-riding the bellows switches when it is desired to rejectcigarettes manually.

To summarize the sequence of operation of the logic and memory unit 281,a cigarette passing over the arcuate recess 114 closes or opens the evenbellows switch de- I pending on whether the cigarette is bad or good.The next cigarette starts across the arcuate recess 116 and similarlycloses or opens the odd bellows switch. Just before the first cigaretteleaves the arcuate recess 114 the reed switch SS2 closes to start thesequence of events involving the firing circuit 282. After the firstcigarette leaves the arcuate recess 114, a third starts across therecess 114 and the switch SS-3 closes to start the sequence of eventsinvolving the firing circuit 286. A fourth cigarette starts across thearcuate recess 116, the switch SS4 closes to start the sequence ofevents involving the firing circuit 284. When the switch SSl closes itstarts the sequence of events involving the firing circuit 288.

Referring to FIG. 8, a modification of the invention is shown whereinthe vacuum tube 158 is provided as before, but a mechanical ejectionmechanism 320 is used in place of the air ejection nozzle 160. Theejection mechanism 320 comprises a link 322 having one end thereofpivotally connected to a stationary pin 324 fixed on the end of asupporting arm 326 extending downwardly between the washer shaped wallof the drum section 30. The other end of the link 322 is pivotallyconnected to an operating arm 328 of the solenoid S which is mountedbetween the washer shaped walls of the drum section. An ejection finger330 projects downwardly from the link 322 in position to eject acigarette when the finger is moved downwardly into the path of thecigarette traversing the ejection space.

The solenoid S is the same solenoid illustrated schematically in FIG. 7and during operation is normally energized to retain the link 322 in theretracted position illustrated. When the solenoid S is de-energized, aspreviously described in connection with the schematic diagram of FIG. 7,the operating arm 328 is advanced downwardly to pivot the link 322 in acounterclockwise direction about the stationary pin 324 to advance theejecting finger into the path of the cigarette to be ejected. When thesolenoid S is energized the ejecting finger is retracted to enable thevacuum bridge to retain the good cigarettes in their slots as theytraverse the ejection space. A similar ejection mechanism 320 isassociated with the drum section 32.

While it will be apparent that the embodiments of the invention hereindisclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects of the invention,it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible tomodification, variation and change without departing from the properscope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims. For example, each of thepins 136 (FIG. 2) which engage the tobacco ends of the cigarettes couldbe enlarged and formed with blind (no hole) tapered bores to sealinglyengage the tobacco ends in the same manner as the filter ends aresealingly engaged by the tapered bores 108.

Also, although the rings 98 (FIG. 2) have been shown as complete rings,it is apparent that most of each ring 98 could be removed and only thearcuate portion having the arcuate recesses 114 and 116 retained. Thiswould provide a fixed arcuate shoe sealingly engaging each of the rings94 containing the tapered bores 108. After the tapered bores leave thearcuate shoe, they could pass across a fixed nozzle or outlet forpressurized air to disengage the cigarettes from the tapered boresbefore the cigarettes reach the ejection space between the shrouds and152.

What is claimed is:

1. A cigarette testing machine comprising a cylindrical drum rotatablymounted on said machine having a plurality of circumferentially spacedaxially extending slots on the cylindrical surface thereof, means forrotating said drum in timed relation to means for automatically loadinga cigarette in each of said slots when each slot reaches a first angularposition, means for automatically ejecting the cigarettes from saidslots when each of said slots reaches a second angular position spacedless than 360 from said first angular position, means automaticallyactivated during a predetermined angular portion of rotation of saiddrum between said first and second angular positions for sealinglyengaging one end of each cigarette and applying a fluid pressure to saidone end, said other end remaining free to atmosphere, means responsiveto the fluid flow produced by said pressure applying means for producinga signal indicative of a defective cigarette, means responsive to saidsignal and activatable for automatically ejecting the defectivecigarette from the slots when each slot reaches a third angular positionlocated in advance of said second angular position, means for storing aplurality of said signals and activating said activatable ejecting meanseach time the slot carrying the defective cigarette which produced oneof said signals reaches said third angular position, means formaintaining said defective cigarette ejecting means activated each timeit is activated until said signal producing means indicates that asubsequent cigarette is not defective and until the defective cigarettepreceding said non-defective cigarette has been ejected at said thirdangular position, whereby the defective cigarettes are ejected beforesaid second angular position and the non-defective cigarettes areejected at said second angular position.

2. A cigarette testing machine comprising a cylindrical drum rotatablymounted on said machine having a plurality of circumferentially spacedaxially extending slots on the cylindrical surface thereof, means forrotating said drum in timed relation to means for automatically loadinga cigarette in each of said slots when each slot reaches a first angularposition, means for automatically ejecting the cigarettes from saidslots when each of said slots reaches a second angular position spacedless than 360 from said first angular position, ring means mounted onone end of said drum for rotation therewith defining a tapered bore nearthe end of each of said slots for sealingly engaging the cigarette inthe slot, a ported plate mounted on said frame having an annular surfaceslidably and sealingly engaging an annular surface of said ring means,an arcuate recess in the annular surface of said plate defining saidpredetermined angular portion of rotation of said drum, a plurality ofpassages in said ring means each communicating one of said tapered boreswith the annular surface of said ring means in position to sweep acrossand communicate with said arcuate recess, means for maintaining the airpressure in said arcuate recess at a reduced level, means forautomatically shifting each cigarette axially toward said ring means toseal one end of the cigarette against the tapered wall of said taperedbore and maintain said one end sealed substantially throughout saidpredetermined angular portion of rotation on the drum, meanscommunicating with said arcuate recess and responsive to the fluid flowproduced by said pressure applying means for producing a signal eachtime the fluid flow in said arcuate recess increases due to a defectivecigarette, and means responsive to said signal for ejecting thedefective cigarette from its slot at a third angular position located inadvance of said second angular position whereby the defective cigarettesare ejected before said second angular position and the non-defectivecigarettes are ejected at said second angular position.

3. A cigarette testing machine comprising a cylindrical drum rotatablymounted on said machine having a plurality of circumferentially spacedaxially extending slots on the cylindrical surface thereof, means forrotating said drum in timed relation to means for automatically loadinga cigarette in each of said slots when each slot reaches a first angularposition, means for automatically ejecting the cigarettes from saidslots when each of said slots reaches a second angular position spacedless than 360 from said first angular position, ring means mounted onone end of said drum for rotation therewith defining a tapered bore nearthe end of each of said slots for sealingly engaging the cigarette inthe slot, a ported plate mounted on said frame having an annular surfaceslidably and sealingly engaging an annular surface of said ring means, aplurality of arcuate recesses where each arcuate recess subtends anangle greater than the angle between said slots are formed in theannular surface of said ported plate with different groups of saidtapered bores communicating with different ones of said arcuaterecesses, defining said predetermined angular portion of rotation ofsaid drum, the corresponding end of each of said arcuate recesses beingextended by a narrow throttling slot, one of said tapered borescommunicatmg with one of said throttling slots during the brieftransition periods when a tapered bore is not in communication with oneof said arcuate recesses to reduce fluctuations in air pressure in saidarcuate recesses, a plurality of passages in said ring means eachcommunicating one of said tapered bores with the annular surface of saidring means in position to sweep across and communicate with said arcuaterecess, means for maintaining the air pressure in each of said arcuaterecesses at a reduced level, and means for automatically shifting eachcigarette axially toward said ring means to seal one end of thecigarette against the tapered wall of said tapered bore and maintainsaid one end sealed substantially throughout said predetermined angularportion of rotation of the drum, means communicating with said arcuaterecesses responsive to the fluid flow produced by said pressure applyingmeans for producing a signal each time the fluid flow pressure in one ofsaid arcuate recess increases due to a defective cigarette, and meansresponsive to said signal for ejecting the defective cigarette from itsslot at a third angular position located in advance of said secondangular position whereby the defective cigarettes are ejected beforesaid second angular position and the non-defective cigarettes areejected at said second angular position.

4. A cigarette testing machine comprising a cylindrical drum rotatablymounted on said machine having a plurality of circumferentially spacedaxially extending slots on the cylindrical surface thereof, means forrotating said drum in timed relation to means for automatically loadinga cigarette in each of said slots when each slot reaches a first angularposition means for automatically ejecting the cigarettes from said slotswhen each of said slots reaches a second angular position spaced lessthan 360 from said first angular position, ring means mounted on one endof said drum for rotation therewith defining a tapered bore near the endof each of said slots for sealingly engaging the cigarette in the slot,a ported plate mounted on said frame having an annular surface slidablyand sealingly engaging an annular surface of said ring means, aplurality of arcuate recesses where each arcuate recess subtends anangle greater than the angle between said slots are formed in theannular surface of said ported plate with different groups of saidtapered bores communicating with different ones of said arcuaterecesses, defining said predetermined angular portion of rotation ofsaid drum, the corresponding end of each of said arcuate recesses beingextended by a narrow throttling slot, one of said tapered borescommunicating with one of said throttling slots during the brieftransition periods when a tapered bore is not in communication with oneof said arcuate recesses to reduce fluctuations in the air pressure insaid arcuate recesses, a plurality of passages in said ring means each,communicating one of said tapered bores with the annular surface of saidring means in position to sweep across and communicate with said arcuaterecess, means for maintaining the air pressure in each of said arcuaterecesses at a reduced level, and means for automatically shifting eachcigarette axially toward said ring means to seal one end of thecigarette against the tapered wall of said tapered bore and maintainsaid one end sealed substantially throughout said predetermined angularportion of rotation of the drum, an aneroid bellows switch communicatingwith said arcuate recesses responsive to the fluid flow produced by saidpressure applying means for producing a signal each time the fluid flowpressure in one of said arcuate recess increases due to a defectivecigarette, and means responsive to said signal for ejecting thedefective cigarette from its slot at a third angular position located inadvance of said second angular position whereby the defective cigarettesare ejected before said second angular position and the non-defectivecigarettes are ejected at said second angular position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,985,008 5/1961 Renard 7345.23,258,117 6/1966 Domeck et a1. 7338 X 3,270,551 9/1966 Schmalz 73-45.13,377,843 4/1968 Rudszinat 73-452 3,395,570 8/1968 Kochalski 7345.23,408,858 11/1968 Kaeding et al. 7345.2 3,412,856 11/1968 Esenwein73-45.2 X 3,418,844 12/1968 Wahle 7345.1

S. CLEMENT SWISHER, Primary Examiner

